Submarine contact mine



:s shets-sheet 1 E. A. SPERRY- SUBMARINE CONTACT MINE Filed Nov. s, `1917 INVENTOR ON QN mN QN MN wlw 71771;/77 IIHIIIIIIIIIIIIH April 28, 1925.

April 28, 1925.

. E. A.4 SPER'RY Ashumxxmm CQNTAGT MINE FiledV Nov. 8, 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 Aprir'zs, 1ff925.. 1,535,633

E. A. SPE-RRY SUBMARINE CONTACT MINE- Filed Nov. 8, `191'? -3 Sheets-Sheet 5 f/MER HEPEHRK n Patented Apr. 218, 1925.

narran stares ELMER'A. srEaitY, or BROOKLYN, NEW roax.

i ilaataa rar-aar' carica. f

SUBMARINE kCONTACT MINE.

Application led November To all who/m, t may concern.' l

Be it kn'oWn that L'ELMER A. SPERRY, a

citizen of the United States of America, re-

' which may be laid Afrom ordinary submarine boats, thus obviating the necessity ofvbuilding special boats for this Work. The mine is designed to be placed in an ordinary submarine torpedo tube Without making any alterations in the tube, to be ejected from said ktube in the same manner in which torpedoes kand assume a position a predetermined distance beloiv the surface of the Water Without regard to the depth of-tlie -Water in which itis launched. The method of launching and certain details of'construction are similar to the mine disclosed in my copending application on submarine mines, Which has now matured into Patent No. 1,506,784 dated September 2, 1924.

Referring to the drawingswnerein I have shown what I now consider to be the pire-` ferred form of myr invention: Y

Fig. lis a sectional side elevation of the assembled mine.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the mine taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1.

3 is a section taken on line 3 3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail of mechanism for releasing the mine from its rigid attachment to the anchor after launching.

Fig. is a detail of mechanism for arming the mine.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail andWiring diagram of the exploding means.

Fig. 'i' is a side elevation of the mine in the act of being automatically moored.

Fig. 8 is an-end elevation thereof.

. Fig. 9 illustrates the probable action of s, i917. seriai- No. 200,860.

the currents along the sides of theV ship upon the mine;

Fig. 10 is amoditication of the exploding means.

In 1, a portion Vof a torpedo tube isv represented at 1, withinwhichis shown ai mine 2, comprising an anchor portion 3 and a buoyant portion 4; `The two portions are -det-achably secured together at 5 by means of latches 6,"pivotally secured at 7 to said said buoyant portion. The buoyant portion is shown as divided into four compartments, 9,10, 11 and 12'. Compartment 10 lmay contain the explosive charge 13: compartment 11 may contain the mechanism, which' .Will behereinafter described for firing said explosive 13, while'compartments 9 and 12 are shown as'air-tight chambers fork imparting buoyancy to'said explosive and firing mechanism. are ejected, and to thereupon anchor itselfV The head 14 of the buoyant portion 4, is shown as having a diameter substantially equal to the interiordiameter of the torpedo shown vbeginning at'15 is smaller than said interior diameter of tube 1. The anchor portion is also shown as having afdiametei substantially equal to the inside diameter of thetube,fand receding-at 15 to conform to the smaller diameter of buoyant portion 2 vat the point of juncture `16.v This varrange- .ment as will be seen,l provides a recess 17 between one sid'eof the outside of portion 4/and the inside of tube 1, for the purpose of permittingcables 18,19 and 20 to lie torpedo tube. For the 'purpose of clearly showingr the' relationship of these cables, I

Ihaveshown them hanging loosely instead'of being drawn tightly against the mine.

' `Hioks 6 lwhich hold the anchor and buoyant portions in 'locked relation, are shown as pivot-ally vfitting into notches in projecrtions 21 integral'r With the Walls 22 of the 'anchor portion, andl engaging alug'S on`= tube-1, While the remainder of said .portion y against the outside ofthe mine when in the y tion by a block 26 placedY betvveen the'ends 27 of said ring (Fig. 4)

Provision may be made for withdrawing block 26 automatically after the mine Vhas been launched, so as to allow ring 24 to collapse and permit hooks 6 'to disengageV lugs 8, to cause `the separation of the two portions of the mine. ,'For'tliis purpose a rod 28 attached to block 26 is slioivn pass'- ingr into a box or framework 29. This rod may be provided with gear vteeth 30, meshi ing with a pinion lronithe'same shaft 32 with gear. A pinion v34 meshing with gear 33, is shown on a shaft 35V to Which is fixed a member B6. Shaft '35' may fit revolubly at one end into a sleeve 38. A coilspring 37 fixedV at one end to` member 36 and i Y at the other to sleeve 38 Which isfrigidly fastened to framework 29,',tends' to rotate member 36and ythrough the gearing, Withdraw block 26. The gearing, 'howevenris held' normally against rotation by a key 39 `which tsinto aslot inthe end of a Yshaft 40, 'or a terminal 41 fiXed'on said shaft, which shaft in turn has fixed thereon a pinion 40 meshing with gear 33. Key 39 is shown i, 'pivoted at 46 to a vprojection 42 onA frame# Work 29, and fastened at one end by solder Orbtherwiseto one Wall^43 Vof a resilient chamber The other Wall`45 ofsaid chamber is secured preferably to-framework 29 sol that'expansionr ofthe chamber can only take pla-ce against key 39, thus causing said key to turn on pivot 46 "and be vivithdrawn vfrom terminal 41 to allow'V the gear-l ing to 'operate' to WithdrawV block 26. latch '47 maybe provided to hold key y39 out of engagement With terminal 41., A tube 48 is shown communicating at one end with the interior of chamber 44 and at the otherjWit'h a channelV 49 in a shaft 50 v(Fig. 1) fixed at `51 in the bottom of the anchor portion 3. A

hole 52 in thebottom 58 of the anchor pro! vvides an opening from YWithout 4the bottom ofthe anchor toi channel49. .Y y lhenr the mine is discharged from the submerged torpedo tube by compressed air-V in the manner in which torpedoes? are Vusually Vdischarged fromv submarine vessels,

the air'pressurepasses .through channel 49 and tube 48 intoA chamber 44, causing Vsaid Ichamber to expand and unlock the gearing-in framework29 as explained, so that said gearinguinay `begin to operate." To retardV the operation of the gearing, so that block 26 Y will not be completely Withdrawn until the expiration of a predetermined length of time Yafter the mine is launched, I Vhave shown governor or fan blades 54 on shaft 40. As

the joining between the anchor and buoyant Vportionsiis vnot designed to Ybe watertight,1

' it will be seen that asvsoon as the-mine is ylaunched Water will enter the anchorportion Vand soonenvelope the fan 54Vand reduce'its vspeedof rOtatiOllf- Il! Order. to PIBVG th@ V it willi stand end up.

of plate74.v Y t '79 preferably made of a glass tube, `closed may elapse after the launching of the mine,'

before the separationVV of the tivo portions takes place, the time being dependent largely upon the gear ratios employed V'inV frame 29.` The anchoiportioY 'is designed with suf-y ficient Weight to cause the unitary structure to sink `when it is launched, and the buoyant lso end will Yof, course-be uppermost, so that if Y the mine touches the bottom of the sea before the separation ofthe parts takes place,

As soon 1v'as block 26 has beeirivithdrawii, allowing ring 24 to collapse, latches 67Wbich engages lugs 8 at 58 on a bias, are forced out of engagement with said lugs by the upward force of the buoyant portion of the mine-,so

Vthat saidA buoyant portion becoincsdetached from the anchor portion and begins'to rise. 'Y "As the buoyantportion rises,Y itlcarries with it a coupling 59 and a Weight 60, (see also Figs. 7 and' 8),*attached to cable 18. Asa

soon as cable 18r is `pulled taut it begins to `reel off` from a 'drum 61 into and out through the top of shaft 50. Drum 61 is mounted `for turning on shaft 50 and is provided with afcam like iangej62ysiinilar to. that shown v g iii my -copending application above referred to` adapted to reciprocate arm 63 carrying,rr rollers 64engaging said'cam. ArinHG-il connected byf'member 65 tothe plunger of a dash' pot Y66to retard the rate at which cablev 18 feeds off from'druin 61, thus reducingr to a slow speedthe rate of rising of thel buoyant Vportion 2 of the inine. Cable 18 is shown fastened to `cables 19 andv 20. Cable 19 may be fastened at one end to the rmine at 67, While cable 20 may the mine, over a pulley Wheel 69, and ter-v minate on a druin 70 after passing part way' therearound. Drum 70 is shown as integralV Withardisk or plate 71, Which is in turn integral with la rhiib member 89 on a shaft Y '72 projecting from partition plate73.

Adj acent disk71 and preferably in a plane parallel thereto, is a plate 74 Yfastened to the shellv of the mine at 7 5.V Guide slots 76 see alsol Figs. 2 and 5) running from A pin 79 is into a curved groove 80 in disk 7l'. The effect -of the rotating of disk 71 is to move blockv78 alongrslot 76. away from the center A fragile, tubelike container pass through an opening 68 in theside of Y at one end .and open at the other end 81 (seejalso Fig. 6) is shown as embedded at said open end in or otherwise Asecured to bloc-k 78; the joining between the tube and lblock being designed to bewatertight.

Openings 82 inthe sideV of the mine are provided for tubes 79 to project without the mine as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, when block 7 8 moves outwardly from the center of plate i4. i

To protect tubes 79 from accidental breakage while the mine is on shipboard, or at anytime before the tubes are caused to project from the mine, I close the openings 82,V

and have them open automatically after the mine has been launched and preferably at the :moment that the glass tribes are pi'ojected from the mine. For this purpose, I have shown a curved strip 83, (Figs. 1

and 2) resting against the inside of the mine and passing,` across openings 82. Strip 83 may be provided with flanges Se, resting,` against plate 74 and slidably held in place yby clips 85. lOpenings 86 are provided in y.jectioiis 87, and passen as disk 71 continues to turn, causingY tubes 79 to move out through the openings.l Y l lt will be seen from the foregoing description that when'tlie buoyant portion oit the mine exerts a pull upon cables 18, 19 and 20, cab-le 20 will be pulled down as shown in Fig. 7 causing drum 70 on disk 71 to rotate andV cause the tubes 79 to project out Jfrom the mine.

ln order to'govern the speed of rotation of disk 71, so as not to destroy any of the parts, have shown a brake 90', eccentricallyV pivoted at 91 on a projection 92 on'said disk 71. The brake. is shown as held in an inoperative position by a spring,` 93 fastened at one end to thebrake. and pressing` against a pin 9e in disk 71. Villien the speed of ro tation ot said disk exceeds a predetermined rate, centrifugal torce causes the brake to overcomel the pressure of spring 98 and to rotate on .its pivot and press against the 'flange 95 or plate 7e.

1n order to return the tubes 7 9 to their inoperative position within the. mine when the pull of cable 18' ceases, I may employ some means, shown here in the form ot a fiat spring` 95 coiled within drum 70, and fastened at one end 97 to said drum and at the other end to a projection 98 on partil ing'.

tion 73. The said spi'inr'f,"is provided with tension opposing the pull of cable 20, so as to turn the mechanism back when said cable Z0v ceases to pull. 1n turning back, arm A88 will again engage projections 87 and move strip 88 to close'ports or openings 82.

ln Fig. G, blocks 78 are sliown'asliaving recesses 99 communicating with the interior oi" glass tubes 79 by means of ducts 100. The said recesses may contain a substance '101 which, upon the admission ofvsea water will quickly setup electro-chemical action between battery plates Y102 and 108 shown as attached- `to insulating walls 10e in said recesses, which when switches 10.5 are closed, will cause a current to pass through wires 106. 1n the circuit 106 is shown a section ot high resistance wireror filament 107-in the detonating or primary chargeV 108 in casing,l 109. The passing of the current through lainent 107 is designed to cause an explosion of the detonat-ingcharge, and in turn the main charge .13ct the mine.

Fig, 10- illustrate-s a modified torni. oi battery construction. ln'this 'lorm'tube'79 maybe enveloped-in a thin casing 110, comprising preferably zinc, while a copper vor other positive plate 111, may be'inoiiiited on insulation 112 within tube 79. rlhe said tube may contain a complete rapid acting batterysolution 113 which, whenthe glass is broken will act upon the zinc'casing 110 and produce a current in iilament 107. The covering 110 and plate 111 will thus iiornitlie wo plates or electrodes of. the cell; the glass 79 preventing,` elcctrolytic action unt-il broken. The device may be so made that when a ship strikes the outer ort metallic casing` 110 it will'rrcause breakage ot the inner or glass lining 9 without'ldestroying said outer casl ln order to insure the' explosion of thc mine vin `the event that the wires from the battery in one of tubes 79 arebrokenfor one of switches 10gtails to make a l:good` 1li contact, the battery in the adjacent tube 79 may be provided with a completely separateset of wires 106l having a separate switch 105. v

l desire to render the mine saiceif'roniY explosion unc or all'conditions wheirit is not f moored for action. It is for this purpose that switches are provided. These switches are shown within an expansive chamber 114, for protection against the action. ot water. The resilient walls 115 ot said chamber are designed 'to maintainthe said chamber in the position shown in Fig.A 6, with switches 105 open. When the `n'iine is moored the pull ot Acable 20'passinfg,` over 125 pulleyv 69 will tilt lever 116 pivoted 'at 117 toa projection 118 on plate 74,' and attached at one end to a projection 119 on said resilient chamber, will cause the chainber to expand, andthe bell-crank knife switch blades 120 to be Vmoved by ai'in 121 into engagement with contacts 122,.thus com pleting the circuits. .llllienever the pull of l released by hydrostatically controlled means such as is shown and described in my afore-A mentioned copending application, and to glide down along said cable until it strikes the top otl a locking'inember 12tiitted over shaftv 50. A shearing pin 125 passing through said locking member into" shaft 50 is provided to hold the locking member in V"an inoperative positionyjThe shock of the cable 18.

falling weight upon the locking member is designed to Yshearrthis pinv and move4V lugs V126 on-faid' lockinr member throuGh o ven-Y ings 127 in bracket 128 intonotches 129 in drum 61, to prevent further rotation of drum 61 and feeding, outof cable 18 and thus` hold the buoyant portion at the desired,-

depth.. Aslot 130A is. vshown in the sleeve orhub portion of the locking member, to permit the latter to move downwardly over A similar slot, not shown, may be provided where air .tube 4 8 passes`V into shaft 50. i

VAt 131 I have' shown arudder or inpivotally attached `to the end of the buoyant poi- Y tion oi the mine at 132. Normally, Vsaid rudder is retained Within the ancliorfportion ot the mine, but is pressed outwardly against the walls of said anchor portion, so that when the portions become separated, the

rudder will assume the position shown by dotted ,lines'131- in'Fig. 1, or/byjthe-ull line position in Fig. 7. As also shown in the latter ligure I may employ a second iudV l ctuated simider or fin 134, mounted and a Y' larly to rudder 131. Y The purpose of these rudders is illustrated' in Fig. 9, wherein two mines are shown in positions A and B as a ship C approaches. In positions A and B` the rudders 131` are shown projecting toward and away from v the ship respectively. vThe displacement Y shown passing around the'mines.

currents Dfiowing'along theside of the ship to fill the space vacated bythe ship' are The purpose ot the rudder isto cause theinine to Vbe swung around to the dotted-line positions A and B', so that as the ship moves along as sho 1Cv the fragile tubes 79 will be turned Vsolas to lie adjacent the hull of the ship, thereby insuring 'the breaking of the tubes when the ship strikes the mine.

In order that the mine will not'drag its Wn bythe dotted line position y anchor when rswayedl by the currents caused by the passing ship, or by tides,'I may employ a mud liook'135 placed in the bottom rot' the anchor portioncof 'the mine, and attached theret'oby means of'a cableor chain V136. then therinine is launched,.the mud hook will fall out from the anchor portion aiid lie on the bottoni of the sea adjacent the said/anchor portion as shown in Fig'.4

` In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principle of operation of. my invention, to-

gether with the apparatus, which I Vnow consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that that the invention c-an `be carried out by other means. Alsdwhile it is designed to use the vario-us teaturesand elements in the combination Vand relations described, some of these n'iavbe altered and others omitted without interfering with the ino-re general results outlined, and the invention extendsv to such use.

my invention, Ywhat I' Having described secure by Letters Patent claim and 'desire to 1. A 'submarine mine adapted toV be launched from a. torpedo tube',"comprising a buoyant explosivefportion, an anchorl portion, extensible connecting. means between the apparatus shown in only illustrative and i saidy portions,V a `fragile tube within' said lbuoyant portion adapted to be projected therefrom, means for projecting said tube,

and means broughtA int-o actionv as the mine isY set 'for VVoperating Y said Ylast-named means for. causing said tube to be projected jthere trom.-

2. In Va submarine mine, al buoyant eXplosive portion, an anchor portion, an eXtensible connection between saidportions, a rotatable member connectedft-o said eXtensible connection, adapted tobe Vactuated bythe pull of said extensible connection, a fragile tube within said mine, and means for causing said tube to project from said mine when said rotatable member is actuated.

3. In a submarine Vmine comprising a buoyant explosive portion' adapted to be anchored below thesurtace of the Water by a cable and an anchor, a fragile tube Within said mine, means ractuated by the pull of rsaid vcable for causing saidtubeto project from said mine, electrodes within said tube,a subice stance. also within said tube adapted upon y contact vwith sea Water to :to-rm an electro- A lyte, a detonating chargerjwithinrsaid mine, andan electricriiring vmeans for said'charge in circuitwith said'electrodes.

V4.' In a submarine mine having a buoyant explosive portion connected bv a cable to an anchor portion` a rotatable member connected to said cable, adapted to be rota-ted by the pull of said cable, fragile tubes within saidl lll() `buoyant portion, and means for drawing saidv member Within said buoyant portion when said connection ceases to exert al pul upon said buoyant portion. 6. In a submarine mine comprising a buoyant explosive portion adapted to be anchored beloiv the surface of the Water rby a cable and an anchor, a fragile. tube Withinsaid mine, means actuated by the pull ofsaid cable for causing` said tube to project from said mine, electrodes Within said tube, Aa-

substance also wit-hin said tube adapted upon Contact with sea Water to form an electrolyte, an electric firing means in circuit with said electrodes,a normally .open switch in said circuit, and means responsive to the pull of said cable for closing said switch.

7. lA submarine mine adapted to be launched from a torpedotube, comprising a. buoyant explosive portionv and an anchor portion, means for coupling said portions together, means actuated by said launching for uncoupling said portions after a predetermined degree of operation to allow said explosive portion to rise, means for retarding 'the speed of operation of saidclastnamed means, and means for retard-ing `the rate of speed at Which'said explosive portion rises. S. A submarine mine adapted to -be launched Vfrom la torpedo tube,.comprising a buoyant explosive portion .and an anchor portion, means for coupling said vportions together, said anchor portionbeing adapted to cause Vsaid mine' to sink Whenllaunched, means set inioperation bv said launching for iuicoupling said portions a `predetermined lengthV oftime after said launching, to yallovrr said explosive portion to rise, extensible means connecting said portions v.and means for retardingthe rate of speedat which said explosive portion rises from said anchor portion. V

VE). A submarine mine adapted .to loe launched from a torpedo tube, vcomprising a buoyant explosive portion,r an anchorportion coupled thereto, Vmeans for-uncoupling said portions, means for locking'hsaid uncoupling means against operation, means adapted to be actuated by lair pressure for unlocking said uiicouplingmeans after a. predetermined degree of operation of saidV last named means.

10. A submarine mine comprising a buoyrant portion adapted to contain an explosive.,

an anchor portion, connectingfmeans bet-Weenr said. portions, ring means for said mine including a fragile tube Within said buoyant portionl adapted to be projected therefrom, and means brought yinto action as the mine is set/in predetermined position for causing said tube to be projected therefrom Without removing the explosive from saidk buoyantl portion. f

11. A submarine mineicompiising a buoyanti portion adapted' to contain an explosive,i an anchor portion, connecting means bet-Ween 'said portions, a fragile member 'Withinisaid buoyant; portion, means responsive to the mooring of said mine for causingsaid mem-ber to project from said buoyant portionwvhilef: said explosive is Within saidV portion, andmeans responsive to the breaking of said tube forKexp-loding said. ex-

Y plosive portion.

12. A submarinemine'comprising a buoyant explosivezportion, an anchor portion,y

connecting means between said portions, a

fragile member'ivithin said buoyant por-. Vtion,nieans controlled bysaid .connecting means in response to the rising of said buoyant portion With respect to said anchor portion for causing said member to project Ifiom saidbuoyant portion-'and'ineans gre-y sponsiveto' the admission ofvvater. into said member-for.exploding said explosive portion.

A'13. :A submarine inine,r1lal tubular-shaped 'l 'buoyant' portion adapted to contain an explosive,aananchor portion therefor, aycable connectingzsaid portions, :fragile members Within said buoyant portion and adapted to project from the side thereof,imeans for affectingzsuch -projectionyand means on said buoyant. portion adapted in response to currents produced bythe passing of a ship to turn therside ofsaid buoyant portionxto- Ward said ship. j.

14.1Ina submarine mine, a buoyant explosivefportion, an anchor portion, a cable connecting said portions, a fragile conytainer -Within said mine, meansresponsive tothe pull of said cable for causingsaid container to project from said mine, means L for-'di'aiving-said container into said mine when said cable is not pulling, electrodes connectedfivith said container, ltiring means in said explosive portion in ciicuit With-said electrodes and'vmeans forv producing an electric current'in said `circuit when a ship `strikes said container.

15. Ina submarine mine, a buoyant exg ile tubes connected with saidmine and.

adapted to project therefrom, said tubes being positioned kin ra substantially vertical forV explodingY said mine.

v17. In a submarine mine, a buoyantex-y plane, and means connectedwith said tubes plosivefportiom aii anchor portion, means Y connecting' said portions, .means operable Vze upon launching vof the mine Vand after a predetermined degree of operation for rendering said first-named means ineifective and permitting unlocking of said portions, and means for retarding the speed of'oper'a'- tion of said last-named means. v

v18. A submarine mine adapted launched from a torpedo tube,pc'omprising a Vtubular shape' buoyant portion adapted to `contain an explosive, an anchor portion attaclied to one eiid'ofrsaid'buoyantportion and adapted to cause said lmineyto sink and remain inY a vertical position Whenlaunched,

means for releasing'said buoyant portionY aV predetermined flength 1 of time after said 'launching Vand an' extensiblefconnection be-V .tween said portions vadapted Vto hold 'said buoyant ,portion j in a horizontal position .after said releasing. Y

19. A lsubmarine Vmine adapted to be launched from atorpedo tube,'comprising a tubular shape buoyant lportion adapted to contain an explosive, an anchor portion attached to one endof'said buoyant portion lwhereby said mine will sink and remain in a vertical position when launched, means VVfor releasing said buoyant portion a predetermined length of time after'said launching, y

an extensible connection between said por-r tions adapted to hold said buoyfant'portion in a horizontal position after said releasing, a projection on said buoyant portion adapted when broken by` a ship to explode said mine and means on said buoyant portion for turning said projection toward a passingV ship.

lar shape'buoyant container adapted to contain anexpl'osive, af'ragile member inV said mine adapted to project' therefrom, an'

anchor and an anchor cable for saidlmine, said cable being adapted to Vmaintain said mine in ahorizontal position when moored,

- means actuated by Vsaid cable when said mine is moored for causing saidmemberto project fromY said mine,means'adaptedto be acted upon the currents produced by'a passing .ship for turning said member toward 20. A submarine minecomprising a tubu-v saidlship, firing means for said mine and means 'adapted to'be rendered effective upon the breaking of said member for a'ctuatin said firing means. Y

21. In a submarine minezadapted to be launched from a torpedo tube, a buoyant explosive portion, an ancliorportion detachably( secured thereto, toldabley fins Von saidY buoyant portion, means fordetaching said portions, an extensible connection VV'between said portions and'means forcausing said fins to assume an operative position.

22. In a submarine mine, abuoyant explosive portion, anV anchor portion', vanextensible connection between saidrportions, a rotatable member connectedto saidV extensibleV connection, adapted Vto be actuated by the pullthereof, a groove finvsaid rotatable inember,rasecond member adjacent saidrotatable member having a slottherein, a fragile member within Ysaid buoyant portionprovided with a base, and'a projection on said base passing through said slot into said groove, whereb the rotation of said rotatable 'member will7 move'saidfragile,member for caus- ,ing theV same toY project from said buoyant port-ion.

23.v In a submarine mine, a buoyant vex-V plosive portion,an'anclior portion, an extensible connection between said portions, a ro-g tatable member connected to -said extensible soV connection, adapted to be actuated by theft pull thereof, a groove in said rotatable inemy ber, a second member adjacent said rotatable member having a slot therein, a fragile member Within said buoyant portion provided with a base, a projection on said base passing throughV said slot and. into said groove, whereby the rotation of said rotatable member' Will-move said fragile member for caus ing the same toproject from said buoyant a portion,.a normally closed port in said buoy-V ant portion and means for opening saidport when'said rotatable member is actuated'.

24. In a submarine mine,'a buoyantr explosive ortion, an anchor portion, `a'retracti-k ble 5E. F. producingdeviee adapted to be,- comeoperative when broken associated withv Vsaidbuoyant portion, detonating'means ,elec-V trically connected to said device, a normally open switch in said connection, Va cable connecting said buoyantand anchor portions, Y and means actuated the pull ofsaid'cable for causing said 'device to project from the mineiand for closing said switch.

25.V A submarine'minef comprising a buoy-V ant explosiveportion and means for causing Y said mineto sink and' to assume a vertical positionrwhen launched, means forV releasing v said vbuoyant portion from saidA first vnamed nieansafter Vthe mine has been launched, and` y means for holding said buoyant portion in av t horizontal vposition after said releasing. Y

26. A submarine mine comprising an anchor portion, a buoyant explosive portion,

means for coupling said portions together,

means actuated by the launchingl ot' said mine for uncoupiing said portions7 and means carried by said buoyant portion adapted in response to currents produced by the passing of a ship to turn the Side of said buoyantportion toward said ship, said lastnamed means being` normally ineffective but adapted to be rendered eii'ectiverby theyuncoupling of said portions.

In testimony whereof I have aiiixed my signature.

ELMERl A. SPERRY; 

